Plano or Southlake/Westlake? (Houston, Dallas: middle-class, rent, houses)

[r.cerberus]

So my job will be in Westlake near the intersection of 114 and 170.

We're moving to Dallas and I have a kid who will be in high school in a couple of years so schooling is important.

How feasible is the commute from Plano to Westlake? I like Plano for its schools, lots of other companies-including tech (for my wife to find a job and she's not a comfy driver), and is a bigger suburb with access to Allen, carrolton, mckinney etc. with lot more middle-class housing choices (<$400k)

On the other hand I heard Westlake is booming with new developments, so really torn on whether I should go to Plano/Frisco, suck it up and drive (I will have maybe a day work from home arrangement and time to go to work/back will be flexible) or whether we should look in the WL/SL area (how are the suburbs?)

Thank you!

[jennifw]

I just mapped Westlake to Plano West HS. It is mapping at 40 minutes at 9:30pm and about 37 miles. I can't even imagine what that commute would be for a normal workday. I personally would not sign up for that on an every-day (or 4 days a week basis)

What is your housing budget? There are probably some other options without setting yourself up for that commute. Just off the top of my head I would look at Flower Mound or Coppell. I am sure others will chime in too.

[r.cerberus]

Thank you Jennifw. We did look at Flower Mound - interesting area, except that there appears to be no easy/freeway access to 114 - long commute through lights. But definitely interested in people's views of Flower Mound. My housing budget -- prefer to keep it under 450. 400 If I can. I live in a beautiful suburb in Houston with 10/10 schools, and I paid 300K for my 2500 sq.ft. house... so kind of spoiled I guess.

[UnfairPark]

If your wife can find a job in Collin County and you would want to change your job at some point and have prospective employers here then it makes sense to pick Plano, otherwise no reason.

There are people who commute to Irving, Southlake ,Westlake from Plano , even from places more north like Allen, Frisco and McKinney, but its just making your life unnecessarily complicated.

[adixyz]

Originally Posted by r.cerberus

Thank you Jennifw. We did look at Flower Mound - interesting area, except that there appears to be no easy/freeway access to 114 - long commute through lights. But definitely interested in people's views of Flower Mound. My housing budget -- prefer to keep it under 450. 400 If I can. I live in a beautiful suburb in Houston with 10/10 schools, and I paid 300K for my 2500 sq.ft. house... so kind of spoiled I guess.

Flower Mound is big so your commute depends on where you live. We have many folks who work in Westlake living in our Subdivision. From South/West Flower Mound, take 1171W (aka Cross timbers road) to 377 South. 1171 is a 6 lane road, not much traffic. Westlake will be about 13-14 miles probably under 30 mins. You can also take 114 from 1171 from 35S but and it will take longer.

[r.cerberus]

All this research is tiring!

Now looking at Coppell -- is that a good area? Seems like it's in a good location with sort of central access to the big eastern locations, DFW, and then west towards WL

[El Senor]

Originally Posted by r.cerberus

All this research is tiring!

Now looking at Coppell -- is that a good area? Seems like it's in a good location with sort of central access to the big eastern locations, DFW, and then west towards WL

Here’s on way to make the research easier.

Rent.

Give it a year to get your bearings.

[jennifw]

Originally Posted by r.cerberus

All this research is tiring!

Now looking at Coppell -- is that a good area? Seems like it's in a good location with sort of central access to the big eastern locations, DFW, and then west towards WL

Coppell is a good area. People who live there love it. The only possibly negative thing I have heard is that you have to be prepared to move quickly if you find a house you are interested in. They go quickly (and that's a good thing!)

We initially moved there from Katy and really loved it. (plus grew up in the Woodlands & Friendswood) Jobs took us to the east side of the city so Coppell didn't make sense but I think we would have stayed if not for our commute in the other direction.

Good luck!

[panacea1982]

maybe rent a house in plano/frisco first to see if the drive is bearable for you.

when we were searching for a house a year or two ago, our realtor kept showing us the houses in SL. she bad-mouthed about plano/frisco area for some reasons. our jobs are in Plano. so we decided to buy in this part of the town. but we love SL and wish we would rent and see how bad is the drive. but don't get me wrong - plano/frisco area is also pretty nice.

[UnfairPark]

If one want to be central, stay in parts of West Plano where George Bush & DNT intersect. You'll have reasonable commute to most of DFW in all directions. Home prices are reasonable, schools are great, shopping/dining/entertainment in abundance and employers easily accessible. Far north Dallas is next doors and parts feeds to Collin county and Plano schools, if property taxes and city/county services are Dallas ISD/Dallas county, it won't be similar value. Richardson near 190 & 75 intersection with Collin County and Plano schools is also a best of both worlds pocket.